DmC: Reasons to love the new Dante

The fifth game in the Devil May Cry series has passed through the fanboy anger, survived the relentless negative campaign against Dante’s redesign, and strived to be one of, if not the best game in the series. Love it or hate it, the game does a solid justice to the popular action series, delving deep into a tale of modern day corruption and sensationalistic action combos.

Most of the discussion surrounding the game pre-launch was the redesign of popular series protagonist Dante, who went from middle-aged wise-cracking demon slayer, to the cocky smart arse we see in Ninja Theory’s DmC.

The differences are obvious, but the haters are still out. It wouldn’t be a reboot if the character stayed the same, but I think Ninja Theory nailed the character. Here’s why.

He’s a staunch individual

Interestingly, Dante’s character is a staunch individual, one that doesn’t care about the issues of the world as long as they don’t affect him. Is that a bad thing? Maybe. But we’re introduced to a character at the start of the game that actually appears quite content: he’s doing his own thing without a care in the world. He appears just as occupied by the exotic dancers of the world as his brother, Vergil, does about the “brainwashing” of the world’s people by evil forces. Yet something else stands out above all else: Dante’s like no other character in the game or series. He’s so far removed from what we liked about the older Dante, yet so deeply entrenched in individualism that it’s hard not to take notice.

He isn’t driven by power

Here is a character that knows what he’s capable of...well, at least some of what he’s capable of. Even as the story progresses, we see a cocky, confident young demon slayer constantly fighting the powerful forces around him, those that need the power to achieve their own specific agendas, just like his brother Vergil. He was the one who led the movement that is supposedly helping the world, yet Vergil is also the one prepared to sacrifice individuals for what he believes is the greater good. For as individualistic and selfish as Dante might initially appear to be, he isn’t driven by power. Even those that support him, namely Vergil, are as driven by power as the game’s main antagonist, the powerful Mungus.

He knows how to party

While DmC is not technically set in the same game world as previous games in the series, Ninja Theory has nailed a younger Dante. Simply put, he seems just like what a young version of the original Dante would be like. He knows how to dress, he loves a drink, he puts his feet on the table, and women throw themselves at him: he’s a cocky, pushy, confident wisearse, and someone that knows how to get things done.

He’s a straight shooter

This character doesn’t lie: he plays it straight, tells the truth, and expects those around him to treat him the same way. Halfway through Dante's adventure he iterates to a new-found friend that he “doesn’t do favours”, making it clear that any act of kindness should be thanked inpart with a favour in return; he might use people as a means, but only when the other party gets something in return.

Part of the Devil May Cry series’ appeal has always been the strength of the main character in Dante. With a new take and direction for the series, DmC has been built around a likable reimagining of an iconic game character...but haters are still gonna hate!

Now that you’ve played DmC, what do you think of the new Dante? Do you approve?